KESAN KEMAHIRAN BERTUTUR DALAM BAHASA MALAYSIA SECARA KAEDAH PEMBELAJARAN INFORMAL DALAM KALANGAN PENUTUR ASING DEWASA: SATU PANDANGAN PEMBELAJARAN BERTERUSAN

Abstract

Most non-native adult learners attending a Proficiency Malay language course were found lacking interest to learn the language which was hugely teacher-centered. They preferred to use the language learnt immediately and favoured active interaction with native speakers. This article discusses a study which examined the effectiveness of speaking skills using an informal learning approach among non-native adult learners via an action research method. Data were collected through interviews, feedback, observations and continuous assessments and traingulated. The research study involved 20 non-native adult learners in UMCCed from the period of January 2014 to December 2016. This study revealed that the informal learning approach in speaking skills gained better acceptance among adult learners, as it boosts their confidence in learning, accelerates the non-native adults’ speaking skills and excellent results are attainded. The language instructors of higher education institutions are recommended to adopt and apply the informal learning approach to improve and enhance the performance of non-native adult learners in their lifelong education programme.